The Importance of Consistency in Exercise: A Personal Recovery Journey
When it comes to maintaining good health, consistency in exercise is key. After several days of feeling sick and not exercising, I experienced firsthand how quickly the body can become stiff and uncomfortable. My recent bout with illness left me with pain in my back, legs, and even my toes – all from a simple lack of movement.
This experience reinforced an important truth about fitness: it's much harder to lose weight than it is to gain it. The path to better health isn't always easy, but it's necessary, and it requires us to take control rather than letting our bodies dictate our choices.
Taking Control of Your Fitness Journey
The key to success lies in controlling what we can – our choices and our discipline. When cravings hit and you feel like having that Shawarma, learning to say no is a powerful skill. Control your mouth, control your belly, and control your cravings. Force your body to move even when it resists.
My recent workout experience demonstrates this principle perfectly. Just two days ago, I couldn't sustain even five minutes of jogging without stopping. The next day showed slight improvement, and today, my energy is finally returning. Each day of movement builds upon the last.
You Don't Need to Be a Professional
One common misconception about exercise is that you need to be lifting heavy weights or performing at a professional level to see benefits. This simply isn't true. You don't need to lift 100 pounds – start with just 5 or 10 pounds. The important thing is to begin somewhere and progress gradually.
Good health is foundational to achieving all your other goals. When health issues prevent you from doing certain activities, they become roadblocks to your broader ambitions. That's why consistent exercise in any form is so valuable.
Adapting to Your Fitness Level
My own workout routine involves using a treadmill with various settings for incline, speed, and tracking metrics like calories and steps. Currently, I'm comfortable with a speed setting of 7, though I used to manage 9 before my recent illness. The highest setting of 12 remains a goal for the future, after I've lost more weight.
This approach of working within your current capabilities while having goals to progress toward is exactly how sustainable fitness habits are built. Today, I noticed the progress from being cold at the start of my workout to breaking a sweat as my body warmed up – a small but significant sign of improvement.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're recovering from illness like me or just starting your fitness journey, remember that consistency trumps intensity. Small daily movements add up to significant health benefits over time. Push yourself gently but firmly, and celebrate each small victory along the way.
Your body will thank you for the effort, and you'll find yourself more capable of pursuing all your other goals when your health foundation is strong.
